General Motors may be well versed in producing flex-fuel models – it has been responsible for five million models in the last 15 years – but that doesn’t make its achievement with the 2011 Buick Regal Turbo any less ground-breaking.
The release of the Buick Regal Turbo will mark the first time that a production car has featured a flex-fuel capable direct-injected turbocharged engine.
With estimated fuel economy running on petrol at 20mpg city and 32mpg highway (manual); and 18mpg city and 28mpg highway (automatic); running on pure E85 would reduce fuel economy by around 20 per cent.
The new engine has been upgraded to accommodate both E85 and other refinements. With ethanol requiring a richer air-fuel mixture than petrol, the engines need higher flow-rate injectors. Consequently, a sensor in the fuel system measures the blend in real-time and allows the engine management system to automatically adjust the mixture to provide improved performance and reduced emissions and fuel consumption. Also included is a stainless steel fuel line that provides extra corrosion resistance to meet durability requirements.
The 2.0litre Ecotec turbo engine produces 258lb-ft of torque from 2,000-5,500rpm with other changes including a new precision sand cast aluminium cylinder block for better durability and less vibration.
GM hopes to offer more than 50 per cent of its production fleet in flex-fuel models by the end of 2012.
